Carbonate compensation depth (CCD)

The Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD) is the ocean depth at which calcium carbonate, a mineral found in shells and corals, begins to dissolve faster than it accumulates. Above this depth, calcium carbonate can build up on the ocean floor, but below it, the pressure and acidity of seawater lead to its dissolution. The CCD varies depending on factors like ocean temperature, pressure, and chemistry, and it plays a vital role in understanding carbon cycling and sediment composition in marine environments, influencing both marine ecosystems and global climate processes.